Marta Figueiredo,  —

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

A short interruption in in-person medical visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased treatment adherence but had little impact on disease activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to a real-life study in Switzerland. Notably, these parameters returned to pre-pandemic levels in the post-lockdown period. Similar trends…

Treatments blocking interleukin (IL)-17A, the so-called IL-17 inhibitors, can effectively ease symptoms in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but also increase the risk of mild to moderate infections, a review study reports. The data show that IL-17 inhibitors — such as Novartis’ Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Eli Lilly’s Taltz…

Nearly one year of treatment with Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) led to sustained disease remission and a better quality of life in adults with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to data from a Phase 3b clinical trial. Notably, people with either axSpA subtype (radiographic and non-radiographic) showed comparable responses,…

Simponi (golimumab) — a TNF inhibitor — is an effective therapy for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other chronic inflammatory conditions, regardless of pre-treatment with other TNF inhibitors, real-world data from Germany suggested. While the best results were seen in patients given Simponi as a first-line treatment, these findings…

Lower blood levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) — a protein associated with inflammation, among other processes — in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with better treatment responses to Humira (adalimumab), a study shows. These findings suggest that RBP4 may be used as a biomarker to…

People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at a greater risk of developing certain inflammatory diseases — specifically, Behcet’s disease, Buerger’s disease, acute anterior uveitis, sarcoidosis, and psoriasis, according to a Taiwanese study. The study, “Risk of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in newly diagnosed ankylosing…

Baduanjin qigong training, a traditional Chinese exercise, may reduce fatigue and morning stiffness in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to a recent pilot study. The results, “A 12-week Baduanjin Qigong exercise improves symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled trial,” were published in the journal…

Filgotinib, an investigational therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other inflammatory diseases, was able to significantly reduce disease activity, according to recent Phase 2 clinical trial results announced by Gilead Sciences and Galapagos biotech companies. The trial’s findings, “Efficacy and safety of filgotinib,…